DGCA Orders Removal of Three Air India Officials Over Major Safety Lapses Following Ahmedabad Crash

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has directed the immediate removal of three senior Air India officials over serious operational lapses. The officials include Divisional Vice President Choorah Singh, Chief Manager (Crew Scheduling) Pinky Mittal, and Crew Scheduling Planner Payal Arora.

According to the DGCA, a detailed investigation revealed multiple violations related to crew duty time limitations, inadequate rest periods, improper rostering, and unauthorized crew pairings. These issues were flagged during regular oversight and audit inspections, raising concerns about the airline’s compliance with critical safety norms.

Although these violations have not been directly linked to the June 12 crash involving Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the regulator stressed that such systemic failures pose significant safety risks. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI 171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of all 241 passengers and crew, along with 29 individuals on the ground.

The DGCA has also issued a show-cause notice to the airline for exceeding the 10-hour flight duty limit on two recent international flights between Bengaluru and London. Air India has been given seven days to respond.

This regulatory crackdown comes amid broader scrutiny of Air India’s operations, following previous warnings regarding overdue emergency equipment checks on Airbus aircraft. As a preventive measure, several Dreamliner aircraft have been temporarily grounded for safety audits.

The DGCA emphasized that further violations could attract stringent penalties, including fines, license suspensions, or route restrictions. The action signals a renewed push for accountability and strict adherence to safety norms in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.